TCA VICE-CHAIRMAN EDMOND AZADIAN’S SPEECH AT ARMENIA-DIASPORA CONFERENCE
AZG Armenian Daily
19/09/2006
The third Armenia-Diaspora Conference is geared to break new ground
toward uniting the two segments of the Armenian people, because without
cooperation and interaction between the two, the rejuvenation of our
historic homeland will be nearly impossible.
Some people who entertain unrealistic expectations from these
convocations return with a degree of skepticism, displeased
with finding no instant results, with the exception of making new
acquaintances. But that very acquaintance is the first step towards
the anticipated progress, because, even after 15 years of independence,
the diaspora does not fully recognize Armenia – and vice-versa.
Moving a step further, Armenia and the diaspora have yet to come
together to assess the full significance of the challenges we face
as a nation.
The main theme of this conference is the development of rural areas in
Armenia. The bright and bustling Yerevan does not provide an accurate
overall gauge of the economic development of the country. There is a
stark contrast between Yerevan’s construction boom and the desolation
of rural Armenia.
We should also be mindful that commerce and tourism alone are not
enough to build a country’s future. A healthy and comprehensive
economy can only be based on the proper harnessing of the natural
resources as well as increasing the educational level of the country,
both of which will eventually yield increases in exports.
Political factors play a role in resolving our problems, yet some of
those factors are beyond our control. What remains within our reach
is achieving unity between different segments of our people so that
we may put their potentials into prudent use.
These conferences are significant in achieving precisely that sort
of coming together. Early in the 20th century, our first independent
republic barely survived for 2-2.5 years. Admittedly, political
and historical conditions were very challenging and we could not
expect more under the circumstances. Having said that, the current
regional and political conditions are no less challenging, yet our
current republic already has a 15-year history. Therefore, somewhere,
something has worked properly. Not only that, but our thousand-year-old
losing streak seems to have been reversed and a piece of our historic
homeland in Karabagh has been liberated from Azeri tyranny.
These developments merit historic evaluations.
The Armenian people won – through independence – the freedom of speech,
conscience and thought. But we need to question how wisely we use these
freedoms. Freedom of conscience is being abused by foreign quarters
who unleash there religious sects which undermine the foundations
of our Armenian Apostolic Church, one of the essential components of
our national identity.
The area of freedom of the press is nothing to cheer about. Yellow
journalism there has reaped more success than the variety practiced
by responsible journalists seeking news and offering constructive
criticism.
The onslaught of irresponsible, unwarranted and libelous attacks is
upon us, trampling and distorting the truth. The fallout from that
onslaught also reaches the diasporan shores to cover the pages of
some of the traditional press. This distractive campaign robs people
of any future hope, forcing the depopulation of the homeland. And
on the diaspora front, that press misguides people, thereby denying
their support to – and their investments – in Armenia.
Does this mean that we should not criticize the authorities in Armenia
for their abuses, plundering and general deficiencies? We certainly are
duty bound to criticize. But the boundaries of freedom of speech should
not be the law, but morality; because the law is the last refuge of the
rascal. On the other hand, the news media, which exercises objective
and conscientious criteria, can bring forth positive results. It
is not surprising, therefore, that annual fundraising telethons,
whose purpose is to unite our people and direct their resources
toward Armenia, fail, to a degree, to achieve their purported goals,
despite the fact that All Armenia Fund, which organizes those events,
is one of the few transparent and accountable entities that can be
proud of its achievements.
Indeed, a single diaspora benefactor alone can donate the total amount
of funds raise every year. This lackluster result may be attributed
mainly to the negative campaign conducted by the yellow journalists,
perhaps as well as some organizational failures.
We are at a stage where we need a distinct departure from the
traditional ways of supporting the homeland.
Yesterday’s orphan funds and charitable deeds are not enough for
nation building. Today, we need a different – and more comprehensive –
level of thinking to build a state.
Many diaspora organizations continue operating in the same old way,
often demanding accountability but not delivering much support in
return. However, it is heartwarming to see a new trend developing,
especially among individual benefactors, who rise above the negative
drumbeat of the press and positively focus on the needs of the country.
Indeed, the Lincy Foundation, the Cafesjian Family Foundation, the
Tufenkjians, Louise Manoogian Simone, Ara Abrahamian and Charles
Aznavour, among others, sometimes individually, contribute more than
diaspora organizations collectively. They do not attach strings to
their munificence, as do some organizations and members of the press,
and they operate independently, certainly having confirmed reliability
on the side of the recipient, namely the government of Armenia.
Many Armenian organizations lend their support to the republic inspired
by patriotism and sometimes by ulterior motives, working at cross
purposes, but seldom in a coordinated fashion. I would even include
the organization I represent, the Tekeyan Cultural Association,
which sponsors schools, orphans education funds and many cultural
and literary projects in Armenia.
The division of our church plays a disheartening role too in our
endeavors to unite Armenians. Some people, who believe that ignorance
is bliss, dismiss the issue as if the problem could fade away simply
by being ignored. There have been instances in our history where, due
to political circumstances, one of the religious centers has grown
stronger than the Holy See at Etchmiadzin, but the center and the
symbol of unity have always resided at the Mother See in Vagharshabad.
Any attempt to degrade Etchmiadzin or compete with it is tantamount to
weakening our church and dividing our people. Similarly, the uncanny
games of substituting the idea of cooperation with the principle
of unity are neither constructive, nor will they lead to church
unity. Cooperation between our religious centers can restore the
unity of our church only if they are based on the ultimate principle
of unity. It is as unnatural to have a church body with two heads as
it is ridiculous to entertain ideas of having four heads, which may
render our church into a square wheel leading us nowhere.
Also, it was incompatible with the historic role of the Holy See of
Etchmiadzin for it to be excluded from the last draft of Armenia’s
constitution, through sheer short-term political expediency.
Another dividing factor, which some people would have loved to forget,
is the issue of a common orthography for the Armenian language, which
hopefully one fortunate day may also lead to the unity of the two
dialects. There are people who have been using this issue to pit the
diaspora against Armenia, without realizing that they may be adding
a new dimension to an already sad state of affairs.
On one hand, dodging the issue, and on the other hand, naively
believing that reversing the 1922 decree that changed the rules
of spelling in Armenia may solve the issue by a miracle, are not
conducive to a solution.
The only reasonable way to tackle the issue is to tame the emotions
and to refer the problem to a panel of scholars who will decide that
a change is necessary in principle, leaving the rest to the future
and to the conditions, which may evolve to help resolve the dispute.
In addition to the challenges of unified orthography and language,
we still face the challenge of a unified culture; Western Armenian
literature has an uneven and spare representation in Armenia’s
schools. Also we have yet to find the names of Tekeyan, Zohrab and
other classics in Yerevan streets or their likeness on the Armenian
dram, along Eastern Armenian classical icons.
The challenge of the republic’s economic development has led the
diaspora and Armenia to render patriotism into financial capital
and vice versa. Although these may sound as very positive wishes,
unfortunately they do not work in the real world and have no prospects.
Suffice it only to adopt laws based on international norms and
especially bring those laws out of the books and enforce them
rigorously to create an even playing field, allowing everyone to
invest – Armenian and non-Armenian business people alike.
There is residual resistance – a legacy of the Soviet mentality –
to close the gap which exists between the laws as they exist on the
books and their application.
This environment, already not conducive to healthy investment, is
further marred by the periodic unexplained political and factional
assassinations.
When such crimes go unpunished, the outside world is left to deduce
collusion or impotence; labels which are not complimentary to any
self-respecting country.
We are already at the threshold of a hot pre-election political
atmosphere. We are faced with the elections of the National Assembly
first, followed by the presidential election. Previous elections did
not meet international standards. The world has been changing and 15
years after independence, if we cannot hold transparent elections,
Armenia may compromise the resolution of its international problems.
With very rare exceptions, the political parties have an unstable
image. Switching principles and positions, changing political labels
at a whim, show political immaturity. Therefore, we should not be
surprised that the general public is apathetic and does not take part
in those maneuvers. Without the participation of the people we cannot
build a genuine democracy and keep pace with the rest of the world.
Dear friends. All these problems are the legacies of the past and they
are ripe for resolution. This conference is attempting to address
those issues, so that together we -Armenians within and without the
republic – may face new issues, which unfortunately challenge Armenia
and the Armenian people every day.
We cannot tackle all our problems with divided forces.
If we have to expect any results today, this conference has to afford
us the opportunity to rise above our selfish personal inhibitions
and factional interests, which have atrophied, so that we may face
the future with real and complete unity.

September 17, 2006
For immediate release
Anahid Yeremian
P.O. Box 655, Menlo Park, CA 94026
anahi [email protected]
650 – 926 – 4444
UN, NASA, European Space Agency Endorse Cosmic Ray Division’s SEVAN Network
In November 12005, UN, NASA, and the European Space Agency (ESA)
jointly organized a multinational meeting to promote international
cooperation in space research. A particular interest of the consortium
is to study energetic events on the sun and the effects of these
events on the Earth’s environment. Prof. Ashot Chilingarian, head
of the Cosmic Ray Division (CRD) represented Armenia and proposed
a multinational Space Environment Viewing and Analysis Network
(SEVAN). The proposal received very high marks and was one of the few
programs endorsed by the consortium for the International Heliophysical
Year 2007 (IHY-07).
The Cosmic Ray Division is among the world’s top 5 research
organizations in cosmic ray physics and space weather research. SEVAN,
a nine-country space weather network of ground based cosmic ray
particle detectors, will be led by the CRD physicists in Armenia
under the leadership of Professor Chilingarian. The network will
utilize advanced concepts, technology, data acquisition methods,
and computer analysis techniques developed at the CRD.
SEVAN will open windows to enhanced understanding of solar phenomena
that affect the earth and will promote international cooperation.
At a July 2006 meeting of the international Committee on Space
Research (COSPAR) in Beijing, Prof. Chilingarian represented Armenia
and promoted the SEVAN network. His reports were received with great
and tangible enthusiasm. Nat Gopalswamy of NASA and the international
coordinator IHY-07 mentioned SEVAN in his own presentation as one of
the most important projects of IHY-07. Meanwhile, the chairman of the
IHY-07 steering committee, Joseph Davila stated, “Space Weather issues
are becoming more and more important and the approach advocated by
CRD to deploy new type of particle detectors in near-equator countries
is very important”.
At home, CRD continues to attract smart and energetic students from
Yerevan State University. Artur Reimers, a third year PhD student
at the CRD won a $5000 grant from the Graduate Research Support
Program organized by Armenia’s National Foundation for Science and
Advanced Technology (NFSAT) and the Civilian Research Defense Fund
(CRDF) in the US. Tigran Karapetyan and Bagrat Mailyan are the two
new graduate students and Armen Hovhannisyan is a new upper class
undergraduate student from the Yerevan State University. All three
talented students have chosen to focus their studies on cosmic ray
physics at the Cosmic Ray Division and we are grateful to Mary Anna
Brown for supporting them with tuition and books.
Thanks also to the many Diaspora members for your continued support
of the CRD, this vital organization for Armenia’s strength and secure
future. We want to thank also several important organizations for
their continued support in various ways to facilitate/supplement
the Diaspora giving: Armenian Engineers and Scientists of America
national headquarters, Michigan, and Greater Metropolitan DC chapters;
United Armenian Fund; Nor Serount Cultural Organization; the Armenian
Heritage Cruise; and the National Foundation for Science and Advanced
Technology. Together we make a winning team!
For more information please visit
<;www.crdfri ends.org or write to the Support Committee for Armenia's Cosmic Ray Division at SCACRD, P.O. Box 655, Menlo Park, CA 94026. From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

PRESS RELEASE
Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, Information Services
Address:  Vagharshapat, Republic of Armenia
Contact:  Rev. Fr. Ktrij Devejian
Tel:  (374 10) 517 163
Fax:  (374 10) 517 301
E-Mail:  [email protected]
Website: 
September 18, 2006
MESSAGE OF HIS HOLINESS KAREKIN II
SUPREME PATRIARCH AND CATHOLICOS OF ALL ARMENIANS
ADDRESSED TO THE THIRD ARMENIA-DIASPORA CONFERENCE
18-20 September 2006, Yerevan
Your Excellency Mr. President,
Dear Brother in Christ,
and Beloved Participants of this Conference,
The convening of the third “Armenia-Diaspora” Conference under the festive
light of the 15th anniversary of re-established statehood for Armenia and
Artsakh, has filled our souls with joy.  With thanksgiving and praise to
God, we have come to welcome you, the honorable participants, and extend the
blessings of the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin to the deliberations of this
conference.
Our motherland is once again united with her children in the same hopes and
aspirations, and also with the belief that together, we shall traverse a new
path of progress toward prosperity for our people; toward strengthening of
our spiritual and national life.
The difficulties and triumphs of the past fifteen years belong to all our
people.  All of our people, those living in our homeland and those dispersed
throughout the world, experienced the elation of independence, and in equal
measure, confronted the dangers threatening our freedom; we equally bore the
difficulties on the path of sovereignty and the creation of statehood; and
together won the victories and successes.  Let us offer glory to God, that
He blessed the undivided efforts, love and devotion of our people to
re-establish the independent statehood of our homeland.
Every generation has its imperative.  Today we are living in a remarkably
important epoch of our history.  The time has come, that our present
capabilities, which are greater through the free and independent life of our
homeland and the unobstructed ties with our diaspora, completely and
perfectly serve the prosperity, unity and solidarity of our people and the
renaissance of spiritual and national life everywhere.  It is this outlook
which today inspires us and directs our paths.  Our gathering is called to
pursue this supreme goal and to face the present obligation.  Yes, the
possibilities to freely work are greater than they were fifteen years ago,
however the urgent issues which trouble us are not few.  The time has come,
and we can no longer delay.  In our contemporary world, in the political
realm, in the rapid development of science, technology and communication, in
the hour-by-hour narrowing gap between economies and cultures, the Armenian
people must be in the forefront, and they shall turn their hopes for a
peaceful and creative life into reality through a strong state and a vibrant
Diaspora.  When, at present, there are great changes in the communities of
the Diaspora – some getting smaller, new ones being formed – the creation of
a new structure for maintaining the Armenian identity is becoming imperative
to meet these developments.  The construction of new churches and schools,
the complete and total reorganization of education, and the triumph over the
unnatural situation facing our Church life which was inherited by this
generation, have all become essential.
Before us all today is the imperative to reinforce Armenia and Artsakh, to
secure in every manner well-armed and competent armed forces, and to insure
progress in all realms.  The just rights of Artsakh have yet to be
recognized, and the threat to renew hostilities against our people
continues.  There are positive developments in our homeland in the economic,
social, educational and cultural spheres; however, poverty, unemployment,
under-employment and the export of our labor force remain undefeated.  The
villages and rural settlements are in a state of need and vulnerability. 
The plans for their improvement and better future are the aims for this
conference.  We welcome the initiative to improve the rural settlements,
which today have a pivotal significance in the development of the economic
and social life of our country and the well-being of our people.  Together
we shall find the correct answers and decisions to all imperatives with a
unified spirit, through the united efforts of national and ecclesiastical
organizations, and possessing the power of our free statehood.  During the
recent events in Lebanon, the importance of the support through our state
policy was evident.  So that the role our state plays in any situation be
greater, we must see the vision of our developed homeland and prosperous
country as something near rather than far, and which in itself is the aim of
having independent statehood – to create and build in a free environment, to
form a secure and good life, and to freely express our spiritual vitality. 
The strength and progress of the homeland are the might and power of the
Diaspora as well.  For continuous centuries, in good times and bad, in
conditions of ease and difficulty, the Diaspora has lived and has been
maintained with the dream of seeing the homeland free and returning to her. 
Today the dream has become reality on this portion of our homeland, and the
faith in a free life for Armenia and Artsakh is also a reality, which shall
become for us the light which leads us forward.
We extend our Pontifical message and exhortation to all our people in
Armenia, Artsakh and dispersed throughout the world, to accomplish this
great and important homeland-building initiative of restoring villages and
rural settlements.  The Armenian Church as well shall bring her active
participation to the realization of this project, which will serve the
welfare and prosperity of our nation.  We believe that our children, as
always, will be standing in support of our homeland, and our people will
together build their native home, so that it may always be the sanctuary of
hope, the inspiration and axis of Armenian life, and the consolidating
strength of all Armenians.  Our people, proud with work, will forget about
misery on their native soil.  We shall present to our children a country
strong with a harmonious societal life, bright with the light of faith,
knowledge and culture – a Christian nation – philanthropic, humanitarian and
decent.  May God’s spirit of truth lead us all, and may our Lord’s grace and
strength be our helper, so that our plans and works bear good results and
victories, and from generation to generation, we shall tell the story of
God’s blessing in the lives of our people.
May the work and good initiatives of this conference be blessed.
##
–Boundary_(ID_h5PI5baLhs9bAw/ovcVT sw)–

FORUM 18 NEWS SERVICE, Oslo, Norway
The right to believe, to worship and witness
The right to change one’s belief or religion
The right to join together and express one’s belief
========================================== =======
Monday 18 September 2006
NAGORNO-KARABAKH: UNCERTAINTY FACES BAPTIST CONSCIENTIOUS OBJECTOR
It is unclear whether the authorities will take further action against a
young Baptist conscript who refuses to swear the military oath and bear
arms on grounds of conscience, Forum 18 News Service has found. Gagik
Mirzoyan was freed from prison at the end of a jail sentence, held by the
Military Police and, after eight days, transferred to a military unit.
“They are still pressuring him to swear the military oath and take up
weapons,” Baptist pastor Garnik Abreyan told Forum 18. “He still has three
months to serve of his military service and we just don’t know what they
will do with him.” Albert Voskanyan, of the Centre for Civilian
Initiatives – who has regularly visited both Gaglik Mirzoyan and jailed
Jehovah’s Witness conscientious objector Areg Hovhanesyan – told Forum 18
that “the danger is real that Mirzoyan could be imprisoned again.” Deputy
Foreign Minister Masis Mailyan told Forum 18 that he does not know what
the military will now do.
NAGORNO-KARABAKH: UNCERTAINTY FACES BAPTIST CONSCIENTIOUS OBJECTOR
By Felix Corley, Forum 18 News Service <; Baptists in the unrecognised republic of Nagorno-Karabakh in the South Caucasus are still unsure whether the authorities will take further action against a young Baptist conscript who refuses to swear the military oath and bear arms. Freed from prison in Shusha on 5 September, at the end of his sentence for refusing to perform military duties, 20-year-old Gagik Mirzoyan was held by the Military Police and, after eight days, transferred to a military unit. "No-one is doing anything bad to him in the unit, but they are still pressuring him to swear the military oath and take up weapons," Baptist pastor Garnik Abreyan told Forum 18 News Service on 17 September from Stepanakert, the disputed enclave's capital. "He still has three months to serve of his military service and we just don't know what they will do with him." Mirzoyan, who is from Karabakh's Mardakert district, is a member of a local congregation of the Council of Churches Baptists, who refuse on principle to register congregations with the state authorities in post-Soviet countries. He was called up in December 2004 and immediately refused to swear the military oath and carry weapons. After initially allowing him to serve without weapons and without swearing the military oath, the military authorities then changed their minds. At the district court of Hadrut in south-eastern Karabakh in July 2005, Mirzoyan was found guilty under Article 364 part 1 of the Criminal Code, which punishes "refusal to perform one's military duties" with detention of up to 3 months, service in a punishment battalion of up to 2 years or imprisonment of up to 2 years. Mirzoyan was sentenced to two years' imprisonment, but this was suspended and he was then sent back to his military unit. However, in September 2005 Hadrut district court converted this into a one-year term of imprisonment at the urging of military leaders. He was beaten several times while in the hands of the army and while in prison (see F18News 22 March 2006 < e_id=748>).
Nagorno-Karabakh has adopted Armenia’s Criminal Code, which also punishes
conscientious objection – see eg. F18News 23 February 2006
< e_id=733>.
Despite having served his full jail sentence for refusing to perform
military duties, Gagik Mirzoyan’s two-year term of compulsory military
service is not due to be completed until December of this year.
An official at the Defence Ministry, who declined to give his name, told
Forum 18 from Stepanakert on 18 September that he was not familiar with
Mirzoyan’s case and was not prepared to discuss it. He referred all
enquiries to the Foreign Ministry, although it has no jurisdiction over
what happens in the Karabakh armed forces.
Deputy Foreign Minister Masis Mailyan told Forum 18 on 18 September that
he has been following Mirzoyan’s case and described his release from
prison as “good news” – even though the release was at the end of the
young Baptist’s full jail sentence. Mailyan said that after having spoken
to the Defence Ministry about Mirzoyan’s case he thought there was “no
urge to punish him again”. But he does not know what the military will now
do, as Mirzoyan still refuses to swear the military oath.
Mailyan insisted that Karabakh needs to be able to defend itself because
of the unresolved conflict with Azerbaijan, but said he believes young men
who cannot serve in the armed forces on grounds of conscience should be
offered alternative, non-military service. “We strive to meet European
standards, and I’m personally in favour of introducing an alternative
service,” he told Forum 18. However, he noted that no concrete draft law
on alternative service has yet reached the local parliament.
Pastor Abreyan told Forum 18 that he and fellow Baptists had been able to
meet Mirzoyan on 16 September, at his unit in Nagorno-Karabakh’s
south-eastern Martuni district. “Gagik is being well treated at the
moment, can move freely around the base and has not been made to wear a
uniform,” Abreyan reported.
Also imprisoned in Shusha Prison, just south of Stepanakert, for refusing
military service on grounds of religious conscience is a Jehovah’s Witness
from Stepanakert, Areg Hovhanesyan. He was sentenced in February 2005 to
four years’ imprisonment for refusing military service on grounds of
religious conscience (see F18News 22 February 2005
< e_id=517>).
Concerned over both Mirzoyan and Hovhanesyan is Albert Voskanyan, head of
the Centre for Civilian Initiatives, a local human rights group, who has
regularly visited both in Shusha Prison. “The danger is real that Mirzoyan
could be imprisoned again,” Voskanyan told Forum 18 on 15 September.
Voskanyan had written on 21 August to the president of the unrecognised
republic, Arkady Gukasyan, explaining that Mirzoyan had rejected the
military oath because of his belief as a Baptist that the Bible forbids
the swearing of oaths and had expressed his willingness to serve in the
armed forces without swearing the oath. “The following, complex situation
has emerged, almost an impasse,” Voskanyan told Gukasyan. “The sentenced
man, having served the punishment given to him, will again be called up to
military service, will again refuse to swear the oath although he is ready
to serve the remainder of the term he is due to serve, and will again be
sentenced, this time as a recidivist.” Voskanyan called on Gukasyan to
have Mirzoyan treated “leniently”.
Pastor Abreyan told Forum 18 that Mirzoyan is the only Baptist in
Nagorno-Karabakh facing such problems. He also reported that Baptist
congregations are not obstructed in meeting for worship. “No-one is
restricting us – we can hold meetings, pray and worship.” (END)
A printer-friendly map of the disputed enclave of Nagorno-Karabakh is
available at
< s/atlas/index.html?Parent=asia&Rootmap=azerba& gt; within the map titled 'Azerbaijan'. (END) © Forum 18 News Service. All rights reserved. ISSN 1504-2855 You may reproduce or quote this article provided that credit is given to F18News Past and current Forum 18 information can be found at --Boundary_(ID_0PPsRK5 CPJw0+Chy+tnnZQ)--

Armenian Assembly of America
1140 19th Street, NW, Suite 600
Washington, DC 20036
Phone: 202-393-3434
Fax: 202-638-4904
Email: [email protected]
Web:
PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 18, 2006
CONTACT: Christine Kojoian
E-mail: [email protected]
THE ARMENIAN ASSEMBLY OF AMERICA
STATEMENT ON ARMENIAN GENOCIDE DENIAL CASE
Washington, DC – The Armenian Assembly of America has released the
following statement in the case of Griswold v. Driscoll et. Al. (the
Armenian Genocide Denial Case), which will be heard in U.S. District
Court in Boston today. The lawsuit, filed last year by the Assembly of
Turkish American Associations (ATAA), asserts that the Massachusetts
Department of Education’s decision to remove denialist materials in
the school curriculum amounts to “censoring” and therefore would be
a violation of the First Amendment.
PRESS STATEMENT
OF THE ARMENIAN ASSEMBLY OF AMERICA
AND OTHER ARMENIAN AMERICAN AMICUS CURIAE
FOR HEARING BEFORE CHIEF JUDGE MARK WOLF
OF THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT, DISTRICT OF MASSACHUSETTS
SEPTEMBER 18, 2006
The Armenian Assembly of America and the Armenian-American individuals
who have filed an Amicus Curiae Memorandum for today’s hearing on the
Motion to Dismiss the Complaint in the case of Griswold v. Driscoll
et al will point out to the Court in the oral argument scheduled
today that:
1. The Armenian-Americans who have filed this Amicus brief are
affronted that the Turkish interests and other plaintiffs who have
brought this lawsuit are seeking to have students in Massachusetts
schools be referred to websites which characterize the Armenian
Genocide as a “myth” and “as bogus as a three dollar bill.” In fact,
there is no credible argument that the massacres of Armenians during
and after World War One were not genocide and the overwhelming
historical and legal records supports the finding of genocide of the
Armenian population in Ottoman Turkey during and after World War One.
2. The choice of the Massachusetts Board of Education, in a sound
educational decision, to exclude the Turkish sponsored websites in
recommending what should be taught to students in Massachusetts
public schools without reference to the so-called denialist or
“contra-genocide” theory, fulfills the mandate of G.L. c. 276 of the
Acts of 1998;
3. When the Massachusetts Board of Education issued its curriculum
guide on teaching about the Armenian Genocide, it was government
speech and there is no First Amendment right to challenge such
government speech;
4. If the plaintiffs succeed with this lawsuit, there will be no
stopping point for the demands anyone can make for inclusion in
curriculum recommendations, no matter how flawed or outrageous.
5. No one’s First Amendment rights to receive information have been
denied since the plaintiffs, and anyone else, can obtain whatever
information they want about the Armenian Genocide from sources outside
the curriculum guide.
CONTACTS: Arnold R. Rosenfeld, Esq.
Kirkpatrick & Lockhart Nicholson Graham LLP
(617) 951-9125
[email protected]
Van Z. Krikorian
Attorney-at-Law
(914) 439-4333
[email protected]
The Armenian Assembly of America is the largest Washington-based
nationwide organization promoting public understanding and awareness of
Armenian issues. It is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt membership organization.
###
NR#2006-083

UPPER LARS CHECK-POINT TO OPEN IN TWO WEEKS
PanARMENIAN.Net
18.09.2006 14:17 GMT+04:00
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Repair works at Upper Lars check-point will finish in
two weeks, Armenian Ambassador to Russia Armen Smbatyan reported. In
his words, Russian representatives convinced him that Repair works at
the check-point will finish in two weeks. The Russian party closed the
check-point, which is the only legal point at the Georgian-Russian
border, on July 8, naming the need for repair works there as the
cause for closing.

THE SUCCESS OF “ADANA” IS SCOTLAND
A1+
[04:11 pm] 18 September, 2006
In the third match of the first qualifying phase of the UEFA cup
which took place in Scotland futzal champion of Armenia “Adana” beat
“Fair City” from Scotland 5:3 and topped the list of the third group
with 7 points.
In the next phase the champion of Armenia will play with “Sporting”
from Portugal, “Korzov” from Poland and “Alfa Parf” from Macedonia. The
games will take place on October 9-12 in Poland.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

STATE IS PUSHED TO SELL ITSELF
By Evelyn Iritani, Times Staff Writer
Los Angeles Times, CA
September 18, 2006
A bill on the governor’s desk mandates a new effort to boost foreign
investment and trade.
California produces some of the world’s finest foods, movies and
software, but unlike other states, it has no outposts abroad to market
its goods to eager buyers.
Unless you count Armenia, a former part of the Soviet Union, where
the trade office is funded by donations from California’s Armenian
American community.
ADVERTISEMENT The Golden State exported more than $116 billion
worth of goods last year and handled 40% of the country’s container
traffic. After Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger took office in 2003, he
vowed to be a “super-salesman” for the state, whose $1.6-trillion
economy ranks among the world’s largest.
Now, a group of lawmakers and business leaders is prodding the governor
and the state to get back to promoting the state’s industries.
Senate Majority Leader Gloria Romero (D-Los Angeles) successfully
pushed legislation requiring the state Business, Transportation
and Housing Agency to develop a strategy for attracting foreign
investment and trade. That bill, which was passed by a wide margin,
has been sent to the governor’s office.
Schwarzenegger has not taken a position on the legislation, said
Darrel Ng, a spokesman for his office.
The state once staffed a dozen trade offices abroad, including in
Tokyo, Shanghai and London. But during the budget crisis of 2003, the
Legislature shut down the California Technology, Trade and Commerce
Agency, which had a $13-million budget and 91 employees, and closed
11 of the 12 outposts.
State Sen. Jack Scott, a Democrat from the Pasadena area, which has
a large Armenian American community, was able to save the Armenia
office because it was privately funded.
Romero said state officials needed to determine whether they should
reopen offices abroad and if so, how they should be managed and
funded. The state also needs to look at the effects of tax policies
and other regulations on foreign companies, she said.
“We have been flying blind in California,” she said.
“We don’t have a trade policy.”
Garrett Ashley, a former Schwarzenegger aide whom the governor picked
to head the state’s international trade efforts, said California has
suffered because it lacked the resources to sell itself overseas.
“I think there’s no question that a state the size of California
and the significance of California needs to have a presence in the
international business arena and a way to promote itself,” Ashley said.
Jock O’Connell, a trade consultant in Sacramento, agrees that the
state’s trade strategy needs an overhaul. But he said foreign trade
offices were a waste of taxpayers’ money because they were too
difficult to manage from afar and often became politicized.
“The common point of view in the private sector is these trade offices
serve political, not commercial, purposes,” he said.
The state would be better off using its resources to modernize
California’s highway system, railroads and ports, O’Connell
said. Airports should be a high priority because more than 50% of
the state’s exports, including electronic components and perishable
commodities, are shipped by air.
The governor has asked voters to approve a $20-billion transportation
bond measure in November that includes $3.1 billion to facilitate
the movement of goods.
On trade missions to Japan, Israel and China, the governor used his
celebrity to hawk California wine, produce and other products. The
governor is taking another group of officials and executives to Mexico
in November.
After Schwarzenegger’s Asia trip, Air China signed multimillion-dollar
contracts with United Airlines to have its San Francisco maintenance
facilities service the Chinese airline’s Boeing 747 and 777 engines,
according to the governor’s office. Schwarzenegger also helped persuade
Virgin America, the new budget U.S. airline partly owned by British
entrepreneur Richard Branson, to locate its headquarters in the Bay
Area hub.
Famima, one of Asia’s biggest convenience store chains, decided to
expand into California after its chief executive saw a billboard in
Tokyo featuring Schwarzenegger, the governor’s office said.
In two years, Famima has opened six of its high-end convenience stores
in Southern California and plans to have a bunch more in place by
year end.
But some foreign employers have recently left the state for better
offers, citing high operating costs and taxes. Last year, Nissan Motor
Co. announced it was moving its U.S. headquarters, which employed
1,300 people, from Gardena to Nashville. Carlos Ghosn, chief executive
of the Japanese auto firm, said Tennessee’s “favorable business and
taxation climate” played a role in the decision to move.
The Organization for International Investment, a Washington-based
lobbyist for foreign firms, has asked the California Franchise Tax
Board to amend its “discriminatory” policy of taxing transactions
between those firms and their California-based subsidiaries, including
royalty payments and interest on loans.
The board has agreed to consider that petition at its meeting
Wednesday.
“I think this is a case of the state sending a mistaken signal of
hostility to these companies when it’s not intending to,” said Todd
Malan, executive director of the group.
State officials argue that they are only trying to collect taxes on
income that is legitimately tied to business within California.
But Alex Spitzer, senior vice president of taxes for the
U.S. subsidiary of Switzerland-based Nestle, said the state’s tax
policies were one reason his company decided to put a $359-million
factory in Indiana instead of California. The food giant employs
7,500 people in California.
The disputed tax policy, he said, “is reflective of the attitude
California projects that, ‘We love the jobs but not the businesses
that create them.’ ”
* [email protected]

ROBERT KOCHARIAN: “WE WERE CLOSE TO CONCLUDE AGREEMENT WITH AZERBAIJAN SEVERAL TIMES”
Today.Az
18 September 2006 [13:33] – Today.Az
“Nagorno Karabakh’s people has determined its fortune and is
establishing its independent state now,” Armenian president Robert
Kocharian said in his speech at the Armenia-Diaspora Armenian Forum.
He stressed that the heroic struggle of “Arsakh” and the negotiations
are the inseparable part of Armenia’s 15-year independence.
“There were a lot of rises and falls in the negotiating process. We
were close to conclude an agreement with Azerbaijan to ensure freedom
of Nagorno Karabakh people several times. Unfortunately, we failed,”
Kocharian said.
According to APA, Armenian leader said there is no need to respond to
Azerbaijan’s militarist statements mentioning that only the people
with high spirit and professional army will gain victory. Kocharian
also stated that prior duty of all Armenians is to make public the
independence of Nagorno Karabakh all over the world.

RAUF DENKTASH: “TALAT PASHA MOVEMENT IS TURKEY’S BEATING HEART AGAINST THE ALLEGED ‘ARMENIAN GENOCIDE'”
Today.Az
18 September 2006 [13:37] – Today.Az
The European Parliament will bring five issues on Turkey to a vote
at the meeting from September 25 to 28.
APA’s Turkey bureau reports the five questions have been included
into the agenda at the insistence of French socialists.
These issues demand reproaching the Talat Pasha Movement, abolishing
the Movement by the Turkish government, recognizing the alleged
Armenian “genocide” as well as establishing diplomatic relations with
Armenia without any conditions and open the borders.
In addition, the offer on recognition of the alleged Armenian
“genocide” for the continuation of the agreement between Turkey and the
European Union will be brought to a vote at the European Parliament.
French socialists demand inclusion of an item on Turkey’s deliberately
refusing to recognize the so-called Armenian “genocide” into the
document to be adopted.
The Talat Pasha Movement’s Consulting Council held an emergency meeting
in Pera Palas hotel in Istanbul related to the European Parliament’s
offers. The discussions focused on actions to be taken against the
plan of the European Parliament.
Head of the Consulting Council, first President of the Turkish Republic
of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) Rauf Denktash underlined that the Talat
Pasha Movement is Turkey’s beating heart against the alleged Armenian
“genocide” calling for the Turkish media to make efforts to support
Turkey’s rightful position.
Denktash stressed the importance of coordinating the developments
wit the Foreign Ministry.
The Movement’s chief coordinator Ferit Ilsever said they will carry
on in Europe. He said they will distribute 250,000 books exposing
the alleged Armenian “genocide” and hold a press conference in
Germany soon.
The aim of establishing the Talat Pasha Movement was to make the
parliaments having recognized the alleged “genocide” annul the bill
and make public the truths.
The Movement staged mass demonstrations in Lozanna and Berlin in
protest against the false genocide claims.
The Armenian ‘Dashnaksutyun’ and ‘Hinchak’ terrorist organizations
benefiting from the Ottoman Army’s involvement in the World War
I attempted to separate the country. But their attempts failed,
these organizations were banned and, the activists were arrested in
1915. Prime Minister Talat Pasha issued a decree on May 27, 1915 to
deport Armenians to the southern parts of the Ottoman Empire.
Talat Pasha was murdered by Armenian terrorist Tehleryan in Berlin
on March 18, 1921.